Enrich vs. Enrichen — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Enrich means to improve quality or value; "enrichen" isn't a standard word in English.
Difference Between Enrich and Enrichen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Enrich is a widely recognized verb meaning to improve or enhance the quality or value of something. Enrichen, by contrast, is not commonly accepted in standard English and could be considered a nonstandard variant or a mistaken form of ‘enrich’.
Enrich has several contexts of use, including improving the nutrient content of food, enhancing the intellectual quality of an argument, or adding to the cultural wealth of a society. Enrichen, if used, might be intended to convey a similar meaning but is not correct in formal usage.
When we talk about enriching a person’s experience, we are talking about making it more meaningful or rewarding. In the rare cases where enrichen is used, it is often in the same context but does not carry the standard acceptance as enrich does.
The term enrich can be used in both tangible and intangible contexts, such as enriching soil with nutrients or enriching one’s mind through education. The term enrichen, however, is not standardly recognized, and its use is typically avoided by proficient English speakers.
Enrich finds its usage across a variety of disciplines, from agriculture to education to finance. Enrichen does not hold this versatility or recognition and is generally not found in dictionaries or formal writing.
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Comparison Chart
Lexical Recognition
Recognized as a standard English word.
Not recognized as a standard English word.
Usage
Widely used in various contexts.
Rarely used, nonstandard.
Meaning
To improve the quality or value of something.
Intended to mean the same as enrich, if used.
Etymology
From Middle English "enrichen".
Possible incorrect formation from "enrich".
Dictionary Inclusion
Included in all standard English dictionaries.
Typically not included in English dictionaries.
Compare with Definitions
Enrich
To make wealthier or more prosperous.
The new trade agreement will enrich the country.
Enrichen
Intended as an incorrect variant of "to enrich".
The program aims to enrichen community life.
Enrich
To make richer or more nutritious.
Adding compost to the garden will enrich the soil.
Enrichen
Purported to adorn or decorate.
The mural is supposed to enrichen the downtown area.
Enrich
To enhance the quality or value of.
Studying philosophy can enrich your understanding of existence.
Enrichen
To increase the wealth of.
New resources will purportedly enrichen the local economy.
Enrich
To make fuller, more meaningful, or more rewarding
An appreciation of art will enrich your life.
Enrichen
To make more meaningful or rewarding.
Travel can enrichen one's perspective on culture.
Enrich
To add fertilizer to.
Enrichen
To enhance in quality or value, theoretically.
Education is important to enrichen one's knowledge.
Enrich
To make rich or richer.
Enrichen
(transitive) To enrich; to make richer.
Enrich
To add a nutrient or nutrients to
A government program to enrich flour with folic acid.
Enrich
To add to the beauty or character of; adorn
"Glittering tears enriched her eyes" (Arnold Bennett).
Enrich
(Physics) To increase the amount of one or more radioactive isotopes in (a material, especially a nuclear fuel).
Enrich
(transitive) To enhance.
Enrich
(transitive) To make (someone or something) rich or richer. 14
Hobbies enrich lives.
The choke in a car engine enriches the fuel mixture.
Enrich
(transitive) To adorn, ornate more richly. 17
Enrich
(transitive) To add nutrients or fertilizer to the soil; to fertilize. 17
Enrich
To increase the amount of one isotope in a mixture of isotopes, especially in a nuclear fuel. 20 Category:en:Uranium
Enrich
(transitive) To add nutrients to foodstuffs; to fortify.
Enrich
(chemistry) To make to rise the proportion of a given constituent.
Enrich
To make rich with any kind of wealth; to render opulent; to increase the possessions of; as, to enrich the understanding with knowledge.
Seeing, Lord, your great mercyUs hath enriched so openly.
Enrich
To supply with ornament; to adorn; as, to enrich a ceiling by frescoes.
Enrich
To make rich with manure; to fertilize; - said of the soil; as, to enrich land by irrigation.
Enrich
To supply with knowledge; to instruct; to store; - said of the mind.
Enrich
Make better or improve in quality;
The experience enriched her understanding
Enriched foods
Enrich
Make wealthy or richer;
The oil boom enriched a lot of local people
Enrich
To adorn or decorate lavishly.
Gold trimmings enrich the elegant costume.
Enrich
To improve or enhance the intellectual quality of something.
Her insights greatly enrich the discussion.
Common Curiosities
Is enrichen a recognized word in English?
No, enrichen is not recognized as a standard English word.
What does it mean to enrich someone's life?
It means to improve the quality or value of their life.
What does enrich mean in cooking?
It means to improve the flavor or nutritive value of food.
Can enrich refer to financial gain?
Yes, it can refer to increasing wealth or prosperity.
Can education enrich a person?
Yes, it can enhance a person's knowledge and life experience.
What's the opposite of enrich?
Impoverish, or to make poor or worsen in quality.
Is enrichen ever correct to use?
It's not standard and should be replaced with enrich in formal usage.
Can enrichen be used in formal writing?
It should be avoided in formal writing due to its nonstandard nature.
How does one enrich soil?
By adding nutrients or organic matter to improve its quality.
Is enrich a transitive or intransitive verb?
Enrich is a transitive verb; it requires a direct object.
What is the noun form of enrich?
Enrichment is the noun form, denoting the action of enriching or state of being enriched.
Does enrich have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, its meaning can vary from adding value to increasing wealth or quality.
How can you enrich your vocabulary?
By reading widely and learning new words.
Is enrich commonly used in everyday language?
Yes, it is commonly used to describe improvement in various contexts.
Can enrichen be found in any dictionaries?
It is generally not found in reputable dictionaries.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
